Virus With Windows?

AlexSL1 · Oct 17, 2009

Hi there,
Thanks In Advance For Any Help:

I need to run software called FL Studio, I was thinking of using boot camp and xp but was wondering if i need virus protection in windows if i turn airport off whilst in windows and only use one piece of software that doesnt use the internet?

cwa107 · Oct 17, 2009

If you're not using the Internet in any way while you are running your Mac under Windows, the chances of getting a virus or any type of malware are slim to none. The only thing you have to look out for is if you use discs from external parties. Commercial software discs are generally pretty safe, but anything burnt is a potential liability.

AlexSL1 · Oct 17, 2009

I didnt think of that!
I May have to buy a c just for this software, i just love my mac so much i dnt want it to break!!

cowbrain · Oct 17, 2009

I'm in the same position.
I need windows for one application only (Pinnacle Studio, which won't run on OS X)

I used boot camp, installed XP (sp2) on the partition and immediately disabled all network connections/bluetooth - anything which could connect Windows to the outside world.

Then I installed the progam I wanted. This was over 9 months ago and it's all been fine ever since.

The only headache was having to register/activate XP (and Pinnacle) by phone, instead of online. Mobile call in the UK was nearly £12.

Hope it goes well. CB6

harryb2448 · Oct 17, 2009

And you can always set up Boot Camp and load Windows and, if you wish, download a free AV program such as Avast:-

avast! - Download antivirus software for spyware and virus protection

cwa107 · Oct 17, 2009

harryb2448 said:
And you can always set up Boot Camp and load Windows and, if you wish, download a free AV program such as Avast:-

avast! - Download antivirus software for spyware and virus protection

Microsoft now has their own free anti-malware solution called Microsoft Security Essentials. Very impressive from what I've seen so far.

There's also AVG Free Edition and Avira Anti-Vir, both decent products. There's really no reason to buy AV software anymore, IMO.

cwa107 · Oct 17, 2009

cowbrain said:
I'm in the same position.
I need windows for one application only (Pinnacle Studio, which won't run on OS X)

I used boot camp, installed XP (sp2) on the partition and immediately disabled all network connections/bluetooth - anything which could connect Windows to the outside world.

Then I installed the progam I wanted. This was over 9 months ago and it's all been fine ever since.

The only headache was having to register/activate XP (and Pinnacle) by phone, instead of online. Mobile call in the UK was nearly £12.

Hope it goes well. CB6

I own Pinnacle Studio as well, but I find it greatly outclassed by iMovie. Have you tried it?

iPod Nano · Oct 17, 2009

What about Wine? Couldn't that allow you to run the windows program right in Mac OS X (or am I missing something?)

Eric559 · Oct 17, 2009

iPod Nano said:
What about Wine? Couldn't that allow you to run the windows program right in Mac OS X (or am I missing something?)

Wine is usually hit or miss.

iPod Nano · Oct 17, 2009

Pardon? What do you mean by that?

Eric559 · Oct 17, 2009

iPod Nano said:
Pardon? What do you mean by that?

Either it works or it does not. Not very reliable?

cwa107 · Oct 17, 2009

iPod Nano said:
What about Wine? Couldn't that allow you to run the windows program right in Mac OS X (or am I missing something?)

Ever tried it? WINE is hit or miss with fully OS-compliant programs developed in high-level languages. A virus has little chance of being executed and actually doing something outside of the sandbox of the virtualized file system that WINE uses.

cowbrain · Oct 17, 2009

cwa107 said:
I own Pinnacle Studio as well, but I find it greatly outclassed by iMovie. Have you tried it?

No, never tried iMovie. But have used countless others over the years and I still think Pinnacle Studio is a top application.

I have Final Cut Express on my Macbook and we use Final Cut Pro at work. FCP is the industry standard. But I always do my first few sessions of chopping/cutting/arranging etc (basic layout) in Pinnacle Studio (current version is 12, I think).

I'm not fighting a corner in the Avid vs Adobe vs FCP debate - but Pinnacle Studio is still my tool of choice. It's an amazing package for the price.

However (don't want to hijack your thread, here) I'm interested in the discussion re Wine (or similar). I hate having to run a full OS separately just to run one program!